ATOKA COUNTY, Okla. (KTEN) — We've talked about people, and we've talked about buildings, but one thing we haven't talked about is livestock.

Cattle ranchers and producers are working to keep their herds above rising waters resulting from heavy rains.

Parts of southern Oklahoma have received nearly three months' worth of rain in the past 7 days as a result of storms that have impacted the region.

More rain means more flooding, and because the water is held in the lower portions of the land, cattle ranchers have to move their cattle to higher ground.

It is a matter of life and death.

"We actually did not expect the storms to happen at all Sunday. You can't hardly get all them out of there with one person - If they don't go to that higher ground, some can get through, but if there's a fence they won't make it," stated Leaning Fork Ranch owner, Chris Graham.

Not only does the excess water mean more cows moving, but large amounts on the ground will impact grass cutting for the cattle to eat.

Although production keeps going, the weather makes things difficult for Oklahoma Ranchers.

"Say you're preparing a marking of animals and you're hit by a tornado; it may cause you to delay your marking of those animals," Kouplen said. "If you're trying to plant a crop and the floods come in, well, that's going to delay your planting until it dries back up."

Kouplen urges farmers and ranchers to reach out to the nearest Farm Service Agency for assistance.